by With Saturday’s 2-1 victory over the Columbus Crew, Caleb Porter’s club was still within (a close) shot of a postseason berth.
On the road, New England took a surprise 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Leo Campana and Ignatius Ganago. Columbus had a 71st-minute lifeline thanks to a goal from D Niel Gazdag after a flurry of second-half opportunities for the home team, but the Revolution’s combined defensive effort was insufficient.
The Revolution’s victory brought them within eight points of the current playoff line. New England is still in 11th position in the Eastern Conference, as it has been.
Here are some conclusions:
Timely finishing
The first half in Columbus featured a dynamic that has been absent for the majority of the Revolution’s year. Specifically, the goal was scored by the team’s numerous forwards who were added over the previous summer.
Although Campana’s first goal was not his best (a deft move by winger Luca Langoni and attacking midfielder Carles Gil led to a low cross that found the Ecuadorian striker’s feet at the goal mouth for a straightforward tap-in), New England supporters were pleased by his positioning and ability to convert.
#CLBvNE0-2 Ignatius Ganago maintains the leadidRGACQyPL https://t.co/XjgJ9SutLZpic.twitter.com
About fifteen minutes later, New England center back Mamadou Fofana picked out Ganago’s vertical run between Columbus defenders because the Crew was unable to press. Ganago doubled the visitors’ lead by deftly tucking his finish into the corner.
We get on the board #CLBvNE0-1 thanks to Campana.sKIzLK0oaI https://t.co/XjgJ9SutLZpic.twitter.com
The two goals were by far the Revolution’s two finest chances in front of goal up to that moment. It was evidently crucial for New England that Campana and Ganago, two forwards who have had difficulty finding the net in 2025, each converted their chances.
A tale of two halves
The Revolution’s tendency to produce far less offensive production in the second half than what typically occurred in the first half is one factor contributing to their inability to regularly generate results in close games.
On Saturday, this pattern persisted. With a 2-0 advantage at the half, New England, whether on purpose or out of necessity, switched back to a defensive strategy. In the first forty-five minutes, the Revolution scored five goals (a 1.62 xG, according to FotMob). That total drastically dropped in the second half as the Revolution managed only two shots (none of which were on goal) and an xG of 0.20.
The two-goal cushion turned out to be just enough in the end. Gazdag’s goal made sure that New England had a tense finish in the last twenty minutes. Porter’s team held out thanks to some backs-to-the-wall defending and a few key saves from Matt Turner, who already seems to be returning to his former, outstanding form.
Looking at the bigger picture
With the victory, New England’s deficit to make it to the playoffs was cut from 11 points to eight. On Sunday night, the New York Red Bulls, the team the Revolution are now vying for that slot, take on Charlotte FC.
Next Saturday, when the Revolution visit Gillette Stadium for their next game against an Eastern Conference opponent, Charlotte will once again attract New England’s attention. Each game until the end of the season is really a one-game playoff, and Porter’s club is aware of this. It will be difficult to ride at that level of effort, but it might have given you a boost in Columbus.
If New York wins on Sunday night, the gains made on Saturday will be undone, but New England can only run their own race. It is unclear whether the Revolution will be able to reduce the gap at all in the coming weeks. The Revolution will need to win the majority of their next seven games if they hope to have any chance of executing a spectacular late-season comeback to qualify for the postseason.
Since 2016, Hayden Bird has been employed at Boston.com as a sports staff writer. He covers all aspect of New England sports.
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